Manchester United 3-2 Roma: Fernandes 58 pen, Cunha 83, 86; Soule 11, Malen 17 pen
At half-time, Michael Carrick looked close to losing his job, with Manchester United two goals down against Roma and heading towards another miserable defeat. But by the end a penalty and a Matheus Cunha brace had flipped the table and United were staring a remarkable 3-2 victory in the eye.
They had to survive the final moments with 10 men after Cunha was sent off, but it was no matter. A dreary winless run is ended and Carrick now has a sliver of hope. Perhaps he can turn this around, with Aston Villa next in the Premier League on Sunday.
Carefully, he’s a hero https://t.co/Mi6dxlEqZ7
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 3, 2026
Nine games without a win had left the head coach under serious pressure, and the home crowd made its feelings about the club’s ownership perfectly clear on the night. Green and gold balloons appeared around Old Trafford before kick-off as supporters protested against the Glazers. Here is over 20 years of gross mismanagement staring you in the face.
On the pitch, United kept pace with the expectation, putting in a listless, disjointed performance that only made the protesting crowd more disgusted. Roma took the lead early enough through Matias Soule after United were caught badly out of position. Diogo Dalot had pushed impossibly forward from left-back, leaving something for Rodrigo Mora to exploit. His pass found Soule in acres of space, and the forward calmly beat Senne Lammens.
United’s defending became even more alarming before the break. Harry Maguire’s miskick handed Soule another opportunity, and the Argentine’s shot struck Ayden Heaven’s hand. Donyell Malen converted the resulting penalty to give Roma a 2-0 lead.
The visitors could have scored more. United struggled to cope with Roma’s movement and were repeatedly exposed by quick attacks. Malen, Soule and Mora all threatened, and the home side looked short of ideas and confidence.
Bruno Fernandes had a chance to respond before half-time but could not get his feet sorted out and sent his effort over the bar. The boos that followed reflected a team that had offered little reason for optimism.
Carrick needed an entirely different performance after the break. United emerged with greater purpose, although their hopes suffered an early setback when Carlos Baleba pulled up with a hamstring injury as he prepared to shoot.
The turning point came when Matheus Cunha went down under a challenge from Gianluca Mancini. The penalty awarded to United was soft, but Fernandes had a chance to bring his side back into the game. Devis Vasquez saved his initial effort, only for the referee to order a retake after encroachment. Fernandes made no mistake the second time.
We keep fighting ✊ https://t.co/9OMCwnn3Jj
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 3, 2026
The mood around United turned and they suddenly looked capable of passing, of playing, of winning. Bryan Mbeumo went close after being played through by Cunha, but his effort pinged off both posts without crossing the line. Maguire too threatened from a corner, and Dalot saw a header cleared off the line as United cranked up the heat.
The pressure eventually told. Cunha capitalised on an error from Leonardo Balerdi to bring United level, and the Brazilian then completed the turnaround with a powerful finish off the near post after Shea Lacey supplied the pass.
The celebrations were wild, and Cunha’s own enthusiasm got the better of him as play continued. He received two quick yellow cards, the second for a late challenge on Balerdi. By then, his work was done.
